Lake County Board unanimously supports Ethan's Law

The Lake County Board is lending its support for the proposed Ethan's Law that would require the safe storage of firearms.

The board Tuesday voted 19-0 in support of Senate Bill 1521, which if adopted and signed into law would require gun owners in Illinois to keep firearms in a secure storage or safety device or somewhere believed to be secure so a minor or unauthorized person couldn't gain access.

Several board members spoke in favor of what was described as a common-sense measure to reduce access without infringing on gun owners' rights.

"It's an incredible step forward," said board member Paul Frank, who represents Highland Park and was at the Fourth of July parade last year when the mass shooting occurred. "I think our voice in this issue matters and it will have an effect in Springfield."